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Mental health

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Original poster

Been taken off venlafaxine

31 replies

Babyincoming2022 · 15/09/2021 10:26

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone else has had the same experience/advice and can offer any support...

Last week I found out that I'm expecting! I'm 23yo and have been on 150mg of venlafaxine for 2 years. My doctor has stopped me cold turkey and I'm really struggling. I'm cold all the time, severely sick (not sure if this is baby related though,) can barely sleep and just want to cry all the time. Yesterday he prescribed me 20mg of fluoxetine and told me it will help. He had also put me on cyclizine to help with the severe sickness.

Has anyone got any coping methods for the withdrawal from the venlafaxine? I'm struggling so much.

OP posts:

Theworldishard · 15/09/2021 12:25

I'm sorry you're struggling but congratulations on your pregnancy.
Venlafaxine is well known to be awful to come off, especially moreso as you have had to stop cold turkey. I'm on 150mg of venlafaxine too and I can never miss a dose, even on 75mg. I would feel sick, shaky and have brain zaps.
If you are suffering a lot, contact your doctor again. That is their job to support you in this process.
Finally, I know venlafaxine isn't recommended in pregnancy, so I wonder why it is even prescribed to young women who may wish to conceive in the first place.

HelloMist · 15/09/2021 19:06

On 75mg XR, I was advised I could take it alternate days and then stop, but I was still concerned this could be too sudden. I weaned myself off more slowly. I didn't get severe symptoms when skipping a dose but wasn't on it for very long (and was probably just lucky).

fluoxetine is prozac, and I've heard of the "Prozac bridge". Not sure of the details, but I think it's meant to make discontinuing venlafaxine less horrible (and presumably is OK in pregnancy) Fingers crossed this and the cyclizine helps you. How are you feeling now?

Rustnot · 15/09/2021 19:58

I stopped cold turkey and I know my experiences probably don't reflect a lot of people's, because I don't think my withdrawal was as bad as it could have been. I had been taking 225mg for about 2 years. The withdrawal lasted 10 days. I was hot and cold, very nauseous, exhausted and had brain zaps. It was unpleasant, but after about a week I started to feel better. How many days has it been? I know all experiences will be different, but I think if you can get through the first week or so you will feel better. If you're working, take time off, get lots of rest and drink plenty. Coke and salt and vinegar crisps really helped my nausea.

I appreciate your situation is very different to mine, and I don't want to minimise your experience, but I just wanted to give you an example of a positive cold turkey experience.

Branleuse · 15/09/2021 20:13

oh poor you. I had to come off venlafaxine very slowly and even that was harsh with the brain zaps. I hope the fluoxetine helps. I find it better for me and fewer side effects than venlafaxine anyway.

MySaladDaysAreGone · 15/09/2021 20:17

I stayed on venlafaxine throughout my pregnancy (10 years ago!) with Drs support. No ill effects for the baby. Venlafaxine is notoriously hard to come off and I’m horrified that you’ve had to go cold turkey. I suggest consulting another GP.

CombatBarbie · 15/09/2021 21:01

I would ask for a 2nd opinion!! It's not a medication you just stop like anti biotics. Honestly, I'd ask to speak to another GP.

Theworldishard · 15/09/2021 21:03

@CombatBarbie

I would ask for a 2nd opinion!! It's not a medication you just stop like anti biotics. Honestly, I'd ask to speak to another GP.

I think venlafaxine is linked to issues with the baby, so it's not recommended in pregnancy. I can only assume this is why the GP has hastily stopped it.

CombatBarbie · 15/09/2021 21:03

20mg of fluoxetine is not going to offset your withdrawal by the way. I'm actually quite angry at your GP.

Theworldishard · 15/09/2021 21:04

@CombatBarbie

20mg of fluoxetine is not going to offset your withdrawal by the way. I'm actually quite angry at your GP.

Google venlafaxine in pregnancy. The side effects of withdrawal are better than what it can do to a developing baby.

Mamajunebugjones · 15/09/2021 21:11

The BUMPS website is actually quite cautious with potential complications of medication in pregnancy. Here’s some information about venlafaxine:
www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Venlafaxine/

NotPersephone · 15/09/2021 21:12

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

CombatBarbie · 15/09/2021 21:14

@Theworldishard I also suspect so, however NHS website does say it can be taken but there are small increased risks which should be discussed. The GP shouldn't just be refusing to prescribe and fobbing her off with 20mg of prozac.... In my opinion anyway.

rhonddacynontaf · 15/09/2021 21:14

I went through two pregnancies on venlafaxine, though I was only on 37.5mg once a day back then. Babies both perfect but they had to stay in for two nights after the birth to check they were in withdrawal. They were both absolutely fine.

rhonddacynontaf · 15/09/2021 21:15

Check they *weren't in withdrawal, sorry!

Lots of women continue to take SSRIs through pregnancy.

StarCat2020 · 15/09/2021 21:19

Why are women of childbearing age prescribed medications like this unless it is a last resort?

This sounds awful, hope you feel better soon.

rhonddacynontaf · 15/09/2021 21:20

[quote Mamajunebugjones]The BUMPS website is actually quite cautious with potential complications of medication in pregnancy. Here’s some information about venlafaxine:
www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Venlafaxine/[/quote]
I was under consultant led care as I had high risk pregnancies, and my consultant felt that, for me personally as someone who had been on venlafaxine over ten years, the shock to my system of withdrawal would be a bigger risk to my health and my babies' health than carrying the pregnancy to term on a very low maintenance dose. He took advice from a psychiatrist too, and they were supportive of this view,

rhonddacynontaf · 15/09/2021 21:21

@StarCat2020

Why are women of childbearing age prescribed medications like this unless it is a last resort?

This sounds awful, hope you feel better soon.

Because they need them to function. What a ridiculous question.

Theworldishard · 15/09/2021 21:23

www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/features/venlafaxine-during-pregnancy.html

rhonddacynontaf · 15/09/2021 21:24

[quote Theworldishard]www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/features/venlafaxine-during-pregnancy.html[/quote]
It also says ' • In some cases, avoiding or stopping a medicine during pregnancy may be more harmful than taking that medicine.'

Theworldishard · 15/09/2021 21:27

@rhonddacynontaf oh I totally agree with that. I am just speculating why the GP may have taken the OP off venlafaxine immediately. The OP should go back on a more researched in pregnancy antidepressant such as sertraline.

rhonddacynontaf · 15/09/2021 21:28

The GP needs to speak to someone experience in these things, like my old consultant for example.

Original poster

Babyincoming2022 · 15/09/2021 21:28

Sorry for the slow reply guys! I've slept most the day. I'm only on day 3 as when my gp first told me to go cold turkey last week I didn't really trust him as the first thing he ever told me when I was prescribed them was NEVER stop cold turkey and now he's telling me to do just that.
I'm only approximately 6 weeks pregnant. I was put on the venlafaxine for severe depression and anxiety. So far the worst bits as the nasuea and the headache

OP posts:

Original poster

Babyincoming2022 · 15/09/2021 21:31

@StarCat2020

Why are women of childbearing age prescribed medications like this unless it is a last resort?

This sounds awful, hope you feel better soon.

I spent 10 days stuck inside my house and didn't sleep for so much as a minute for 8 of them so I needed them to be able to carry on living my life.

Thank you though.

OP posts:

StarCat2020 · 15/09/2021 21:52

I spent 10 days stuck inside my house and didn't sleep for so much as a minute for 8 of them so I needed them to be able to carry on living my life

That sounds awful, how are you doing now?

Sorry if my first post sounded mean or judgy, I didn't mean it to.

I just think you have been left in a very difficult position and it isn't acceptable to do this to you.

StarCat2020 · 15/09/2021 21:55

Do you have a pharmacist at your GP surgery as they may be more knowledgable than your GP?

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